16.05.2026 08:30
In Trabzon, Ali Eren Somun, who killed his wife Sinem Somun, 27, during the divorce process and wounded a guard who arrived at the scene, appeared before the judge at the final hearing. In his defense, Somun stated, "I am not requesting my release. I already believe I should be punished. I am not saying I am innocent. The incident was purely an accident. I had enough time to kill Sinem. If I were going to kill her, I would have done so without leaving evidence."
Ali Eren Somun, who killed his wife with a gun and wounded a watchman who intervened in the incident in the Beşikdüzü district of Trabzon, was sentenced to aggravated life imprisonment and 5 years and 2 months in prison. Somun's defense in court was shocking.
HE ENTERED THROUGH THE BALCONY AND MURDERED HIS WIFE DURING DIVORCE PROCEEDINGS The incident occurred on July 31, 2025, in the Adacık neighborhood of Beşikdüzü. Ali Eren Somun, who violated the restraining order against him, climbed onto the rear balcony and entered the house, where he argued with his wife of two years, Sinem Somun, who was in the process of divorce. As the argument escalated, neighbors who heard the noise informed the watchmen outside. During the scuffle, Ali Eren Somun fired his gun at his wife. Sinem Somun, shot in the leg and back, lost her life. The fleeing suspect also fired at the neighborhood watchman who arrived at the scene. One of the bullets hit watchman E.E. in the leg. E.E., who underwent surgery, was discharged after treatment. Sinem Somun, a graduate of Mersin University's Ship Transportation program and preparing to start as a captain on the ship where she worked 10 days after the incident, was laid to rest in Giresun. After the incident, Ali Eren Somun, who cut his hair, beard, and eyebrows to avoid recognition, was caught in a tent where he was hiding in the forest in Sinop, after fleeing on a motorcycle. The suspect was arrested by the court to which he was referred.
THIRD HEARING HELD The trial continued for the detained defendant, charged with 'Premeditated murder of a spouse,' 'Chain threats,' 'Attempted murder of a person due to public duty,' and 'Unlicensed possession of a firearm,' seeking aggravated life imprisonment and up to 25 years in prison. Ali Eren Somun appeared before the judge for the third time at the Trabzon 2nd Heavy Penal Court. At the hearing, attended via video link from the prison in Elazığ where Somun is held, Sinem's family and lawyers were also present.
"THERE IS NO THREAT IN THE LETTER I SENT" Giving his final defense at the verdict hearing, Ali Eren Somun said, 'I am not requesting my release. I already believe I should be punished. I am not saying I am innocent. The incident was entirely an accident. My wife died from a bullet fired from my gun. I am calmly defending myself. There is pain, I also have pain. I never raised my hand to my wife. I am experiencing my grief. I always keep my wife's photo with me in the ward. I had enough time to kill Sinem that day. If I were going to kill her, I would have done it without leaving evidence. There is no threat in the letter I sent to her family. I only said I wanted to bury my wife in our family cemetery. I want a fair trial. I believe my trial is not fair.'
SINEM'S FAMILY LEFT THE HEARING Sinem's family, unable to hold back tears during the detained defendant's defense, said they could not tolerate the defendant's voice and left the hearing. After the defense and lawyer statements, the court panel announced its decision, sentencing the detained defendant Ali Eren Somun to aggravated life imprisonment for 'Intentional murder of a spouse.' The panel also sentenced the defendant to 2 years and 2 months in prison for 'Wounding a public official' regarding the watchman, and 3 years in prison for 'Unlicensed possession of a firearm.'
"THIS SENTENCE IS TOO LIGHT" Speaking in front of the courthouse after the verdict, Sinem Somun's grandmother Gülizar Topaloğlu said, 'This sentence is light. If they had given two aggravated life sentences, it would have only eased my heart. I oppose this sentence. This sentence is too light. I lost my granddaughter. What else is there to say? If they had given two aggravated life sentences, my heart would have been at ease.'
"WE WILL EXERCISE OUR RIGHT TO OBJECT REGARDING THE THREAT CHARGE" Sinem Somun's lawyer Ozan Karagöz also stated, 'The court did not render a verdict regarding the threat charge. We will appeal this decision and see the process. In this respect, for us, it was a result where we sought aggravated life imprisonment for Sinem. We will exercise our right to object regarding both our watchman colleague and the threat charge.'